The Austrian men’s national basketball team celebrated a 92:66 (51:35) victory over Ireland in the pre-qualification (Group A) for the 2025 European Championship in Salzburg on Thursday evening. Jacob Polt was the top returning domestic scorer with 14 points. Eleven rebounds from the NBA center meant a double-double. Renato Poljak and debutant Timo Lanmüller contributed 13 points each.

The Austrians, who struggled in the first quarter only, fell behind temporarily at 17:22 (min. 9). From the second period onwards, the hosts set the tone. The crowd at the Alpenstraße sports hall, which was not sold out, but well attended, also loved it. While Polt donned the ÖBV outfit for the first time in four years, three players celebrated their debut in the national team: Sebastian Kefferle, Lahnmüller and Jonathan Nessel.

“Great Mood”

The NBA center liked the “great atmosphere” in the hall. “It was great to play for Austria again after four years,” he said. “We want to secure the group win on Sunday.”

Austria not only booked their ticket to the second round of pre-qualification (from August 22) with the win over Ireland. Thomas Klepies and his teammates are now the leaders of Group A again, as Cyprus beat Switzerland 71:63 (43:40) in the parallel game. Cyprus are locked in Salzburg on Sunday (6pm, live ORF Sport +). the guest

In addition to the three group winners, the two best runners-up advance to the second stage of the European Championship pre-qualification. Cyprus has also been promoted as one of the hosts of the 2025 final.